Andrea Florence, Executive Director of a human rights organization, expressed concerns over FIFA awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, fearing a repeat of human rights abuses seen in Qatar. She emphasized the importance of multiple bids for fair decision-making and criticized Saudi Arabia’s lack of necessary reforms regarding labor rights and freedoms. Florence called for a halt to the awarding process, urging FIFA and member associations to prioritize human rights before proceeding.
Andrea Florence, the Executive Director of a prominent human rights organization, recently shared her concerns regarding FIFA’s decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. In a conversation with Sportschau, she highlights the potential for repeating the human rights abuses seen during the Qatar World Cup preparations and points to the DFB’s role in this situation. Florence is advocating for a pause in the awarding process.
Sportschau: You, along with other advocates, have examined the human rights strategies linked to the World Cup bids for 2030 and 2034. What is your primary motivation for urging FIFA to suspend the process for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia?
Florence: FIFA’s guidelines stipulate that human rights considerations should be a fundamental part of the host selection process. The initial mistake was allowing the bidding process to continue when there is only one proposal. A minimum of three bids is essential to ensure a fair comparison and selection. With just one bid on the table, we lose our leverage to influence the decision. We are calling for a complete halt to the process, as Saudi Arabia has failed to conduct the necessary risk assessments mandated by FIFA’s human rights criteria.
Andrea Florence, Executive Director of the Sports and Rights Alliance
Sportschau: What specific criteria do you believe Saudi Arabia’s bid fails to satisfy?
Florence: The bid details ambitious plans, including the construction of eleven stadiums and 185,000 hotel rooms, alongside extensive infrastructure projects. To achieve these goals, a significant influx of guest workers will be required. However, the bid lacks commitments to crucial reforms of the exploitative Kafala system, the introduction of a minimum wage for foreign workers, the establishment of labor unions, and measures to prevent worker fatalities. Additionally, there is a troubling silence on issues such as the suppression of free speech, imprisonment of human rights advocates, and the rights of LGBTI individuals and women. Forced evictions, discrimination against women, and the criminalization of consensual same-sex relationships are also glaring omissions.
Projected Venues for the 2034 World Cup
Sportschau: In what ways do you see similarities between this situation and the World Cup held in Qatar?
Florence: We are already witnessing human rights abuses against guest workers in Saudi Arabia. It is crucial that we learn from the lessons of Qatar. The world has witnessed the tragic deaths of workers during stadium construction. We cannot allow history to repeat itself in Saudi Arabia. FIFA must reflect on past mistakes to ensure that the upcoming World Cup is not built on the suffering of workers. This extends to the treatment of women and LGBTI individuals in Saudi Arabia. The focus should not solely be on fans attending the event but also on protecting the rights of those who are currently at risk within the country. If Saudi Arabia is genuinely committed to human rights, it must implement necessary reforms prior to being awarded the World Cup.
Sportschau: What are your expectations from FIFA member associations like the DFB?
Florence: We urge FIFA member associations to halt the awarding process and refrain from voting, as the necessary criteria are not being met. We hope they will consider our report and reach a similar conclusion. Should the associations proceed with awarding a World Cup without conducting a comprehensive human rights assessment, they will share in the responsibility for any violations that may arise. We trust that member associations will take their obligations seriously.
On December 11, six nations will be awarded the 2030 World Cup, while Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup. Any outcome other than a ‘yes’ from the DFB would be unexpected.
Sportschau: How has FIFA responded to your report?
Florence: We have sent our report to both FIFA’s administration and its human rights subcommittee; however, we have yet to receive any response. We are eager to engage with them, share our findings, and discuss the necessary steps they should take moving forward, but there has been no communication from their side.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Sportschau: Some officials claim that sports can drive positive change. Considering recent major sporting events in China, Qatar, and Russia, do you believe this is true?
Florence: We firmly maintain that sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for promoting human rights and fostering social development globally. There are positive examples to illustrate this: a Brazilian swimmer, having experienced abuse in sports, advocated for legislative changes in Brazil that extended the time allowed for victims to report such incidents, effectively abolishing statutes of limitations. During the European Football Championship in Germany, a complaints office was established for staff, fans, players, and media to report issues, ensuring prompt responses and fostering a safer stadium environment.
To create an event that not only honors human rights but also leaves a lasting legacy, collaboration with civil society organizations is essential. This is a significant criticism we have of Saudi Arabia, as none of the human rights organizations we are familiar with were consulted during the risk assessment. Engaging with these organizations, which have direct access to the communities whose rights are at stake, is vital for identifying and mitigating risks. Thus, we believe Saudi Arabia is not adequately prepared.
Miguel Maduro, former Governance Chief of FIFA, regards the awarding of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups as a regression from FIFA’s reform efforts, expressing shock that
Sportschau: Do you trust FIFA or its president Gianni Infantino to amend the process to ensure Saudi Arabia meets the outlined requirements?
Florence: This is not merely a matter of trust. Adhering to human rights is a legal obligation that organizations like FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, and UEFA must uphold. It is not about placing faith in these organizations; it is a fundamental requirement. Additionally, I want to emphasize Switzerland’s responsibility as the host country for these sports associations. Switzerland must ensure these organizations respect human rights when organizing significant events on its soil. Therefore, Switzerland holds a crucial role in preventing associations from being linked to serious and preventable human rights violations.